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EPILOGUE: VISIONS OF US
The goodbyes weren’t said
The I’ll miss you hugs weren’t given
Because things stopped
Without my permission
So here i am,
Saying it in a whisper from afar
But it is screaming in my head
I love you
I‘ll miss you
This isn't goodbye though
It is a new beginning
Not an end
5 years later
“Mama mama!”
You turned around and saw a flash of red running towards you. Little Crepus barreled into you and hugged your leg, crying at the top of his lungs.
“Daddy won’t let me open my presents!” he sobbed, rubbing his face into your thigh and smearing snot and tears all over it.
You looked up to see Diluc rubbing the back of his neck as he walked into the bedroom. He looked exhausted but the amused smile on his face was genuine.
“Honey,” you picked up your son and pushed his little red and black locks off of his face, “Papa just doesn’t want you to spoil your surprises! Besides, you’ll only have to wait a little more to open them. And mommy will tell Uncle Kaeya to get you ice cream for being patient, okay?” Little Crepus’s cries dwindled to small sniffles and you smiled.
“That’s my good boy. Now give mama a kiss and go play with the other kids. They all came here to celebrate your birthday with you!” You said and he smiled, hugging your neck and kissing your cheek. You put him down and as if nothing happened, he ran off giggling.
“You really do know how to calm storms.” Diluc said as he pulled you into his arms and kissed you. You smiled and touched his cheek.
“I think I just spoil him.” You laugh and finish putting on your white gold ruby wedding ring. Diluc took your hand and kissed the teardrop ruby on your ring. You took his left hand and kissed his wedding band. It was made of white gold as well and a thin emerald line wrapped around the middle of the ring. The giant ruby represented his Pyro Vision and the emerald on his represented your Dendro Vision. It was your ritual before you left for anywhere and neither of you could leave without doing it.
“You look lovely as always darling.” He murmured and took your hand to spin you around. The red floor length strapless dress you wore swirled with the movements. Diluc matched you with a red dress shirt and his infamous white vest. Crepus wore the same thing as Diluc and they looked like mini and big versions of each other.
“Shall we go downstairs? More guests were arriving when Crepus ran up here.” He said and you nodded.
You climbed down the stairs holding Diluc’s hand and familiar faces smiled up at you. The main room of the manor was filled with laughter, chatter, and running kids. Balloons were scattered on the floor, floating on strings, and pinned to the banisters and columns. Hillie and Moco did such an amazing job at decorating, you made a mental note to thank them with some drinks later. Hu Tao was at the base of the stairs with your parents and she rushed to hug you. Diluc shook hands with your father and hugged your mother, taking them over to the drink table and pouring them some wine.
“We just got here! I had to move heaven and hell to get your parents away from the ruins in Dragonspine, but here we are!” She said cheerfully.
You laughed and caught up with your old friend. She said everything at Liyue and the Wangheng Parlor was still the same and you were secretly hoping she’d mention Zhongli but she didn’t.
Letters shared between you and Zhongli were few and far between. You were the first to receive one from him and you continued to write to one another but not as often as you’d like. You had a feeling answering your letters were too much for him at times so he sometimes wouldn’t send one back. And if he did, it would be after a few months. He did visit Mondstadt a couple of times and he wrote to you each time he did. He claimed he was visiting Venti but he always made a point to come see you for a day or two. Diluc always made a point to be with you when you did, claiming he finished all his work quickly or somewhere along those lines. You’d invite him to the tavern along with Venti but it was always so tense, it was barely enjoyable. He attended your wedding to your surprise along with Hu Tao. He showed up early and wished both of you long and happy lives, but you could see the pain in his eyes when he did. He also stayed late and helped Beidou wrangle her drunk crew back on The Alcor.
Beidou
Biedou on the other hand visited you frequently. You loved seeing her almost once or twice a month. She made friends with Mondstadt’s blacksmith and they frequently made deals with each other. She always brought business with her to Mondstadt when she came, especially to the tavern. Her and her crew could drink up the entire tavern and all of Dawn Winery’s supplies in one night. Besides the kissing and bedroom shenanigans, she was back to her normal self around you, flirty, happy, and just someone wonderful to be around. Even Diluc didn’t mind her presence around you and even felt comfortable enough to leave you alone with her. Though you had an inkling that when she was here, her and Kaeya were seeing each other for he was always hovering around her. The usual cool Calvary Captain was all nerves around Beidou and you both thought it was funny.
You recalled her last letter to you after you wrote her an invitation for Crepus’s 4th birthday party:
Of course I’ll be there at Crepus’s birthday party! I wouldn’t miss it for the world! It gives me an excuse to see Kaeya. He keeps writing to me and asking me when I’ll be back, I think he’s fully smitten and...perhaps I am as well.”
You could practically see her laughing as she wrote that sentence.
“Anyways, I have some news to share with you but I feel it’s best for me to tell and show you in person. Also, tell Diluc to prepare extra wine for us! The crew of course will accompany me. You know how much they love Crepus. I know my girls who work on the ballistas want to know when they could babysit him again. They won’t stop going on about how adorable he is. I’ll see you in three weeks time!
-Bei
Diluc chatted with your father before Kaeya called him over. They were in better terms than before but still not as well as their youth. Lisa was sitting in your rocking chair in the corner by the fireplace with Crepus on her lap. She was showing some electric magic to a group of little kids. Hillie and Moco were chatting with Hu Tao in a corner with Adeline. They threw “ come save us” looks and you had a feeling Hu Tao was trying to earn some business for the parlor from them. You were about to go over and tell her that they weren’t going to die anytime soon when booming thunder sounded outside.
Suddenly, a loud bang erupted from the front door and you saw the doors fly open. Blinding lightning struck outside and you immediately reached for your catalyst, summing it from your vision. Kaeya and Diluc already had their sword in their hands and Lisa also had her catalyst out, standing in front of the children to protect them.
“EASY there! If I wanted a fight, I would have called you Musk Reef!” laughed Beidou as she walked in, holding a giant wooden toy ship in her hands.
You sighed deeply and waved your catalyst away and it disappeared into the air. You held your chest and Diluc came to hug you.
“Bei! Don’t do that! You’re going to give me a heart attack!” You scolded but then smiled.
She winked, “Oh you know how much I’d loved to give you a heart attack baby.” She flirted, hugging you and kissing your cheek.
Diluc frowned a little but gave a small smile. “Welcome Beidou and Crew.” He said, peering around her at the Crux crew filing in, each holding a wrapped present. Some loudly greeted you both and others waved.
“Now where’s the little sea monster?” She said, looking around excitedly.
“Auntie Bei!” Crepus ran to her and hugged her leg. He looked at the giant toy ship in her hands and his eyes grew wide in awe. “Is that for me?!” He squealed.
Beidou laughed and nodded, “Yes honey. I’ll go put it on the table for later though. I’m sure your mama would want you to play with it later. C’mon boys!” She said and the group all went to the present corner and added a huge pile.
“She really does know how to make an entrance.” Diluc murmured, leaning against his sword.
Crepus came over to you two and started to touch Diluc’s sword. His eyes were wide when he placed his small hands flat on the red, starry surface of the blade.
“No, no, honey. Don’t touch that.” Beidou said, scooping him up in her arms and tickling his stomach. Diluc quickly dismissed his sword. A girl appeared from behind bediou, her eyes flickering nervously from side to side. But when she saw Crepus, she smiled and relaxed a little. In a way, the girl reminded you of yourself when you were younger.
“Hello there.” you said softly and waved to her. Beidou looked behind her and the biggest grin formed on her face.
“Meet the future Captain of the Crux, my daughter.” Beidou said proudly and you blinked at her in shock. Beidou went on about how she adopted her. Apparently her parents died when her village in Liyue was mysteriously burned down and she was left all alone at a young age. She was now 14 and Beiodu saved her from becoming one of the treasure hoarders. She was very shy and quiet but warmed up to you a little, though she still stayed back once the introductions were over. You didn’t want to bombard the poor girl with questions so you just decided you’d ask Beidou later.
“How are my two favorite girls doing tonight ?” Kaeya said as he wrapped his arms around you and Beidou’s shoulders. You rolled your eyes and Diluc frowned. Beidou just laughed loudly and kissed his cheek.
“C’mon let’s get some food. I smell some good cooking!” Beidou said excitedly and pulled Kaeya away to the food table. Her daughter went back to hangout with the rest of the crew.
Zhongli
The front door opened once again and Venti stepped in with an armful of gifts. His bright eyes were peeking over the top of all of them, making you laugh. A pastel green one was about to fall out of his hands when you rushed over and caught it.
“Thank you! That’s a delicate gift too!” Venti said a little out of breath.
“I am so glad you came!” you said cheerfully. You were excited he was here and looked behind him but to your dismay, the butler closed the door. Venti saw your disappointment and gave you a small smile.
“Zhongli couldn’t come. But he asked me to give you this.” Venti handed you a gold present with a black envelope. Your name was written neatly on the card and you instantly recognized the hand writing.
“I’d read it in private if I were you.” Venti whispered before walking to the gift table and placing the other few presents down.
He then made his way to Diluc who was tickling Crepus with his favorite boar stuffed animal. They were both laughing and giggling. Venti waved and Crepus hugged him. Everyone else was preoccupied and you took the opportunity to slip away to Diluc’s study.
Your heart was racing and a part of you felt guilty for feeling so excited to receive a letter from him. You sent him an invitation two months ago but he never replied, nor replied to your last letter before that. Your hands were shaking as you opened the envelope, tearing the wax seal with a geo print on it. A letter along with two photos were neatly tucked in. Your eyes immediately started to water. You forgot he owned a prototype of the Kamera. Memories drifted of him using it as much as he could when he had blank photo cards. The first one was of you and him laying in bed. He was smiling softly and looking into the Kamera as you were cuddled against him, sleeping soundlessly with your face half buried in his chest. The next one nearly made you sob out loud. It was a picture of the two of you standing on the balcony of the Liuli Pavillion. Your backs were to the Kamera and you were looking at each other as you were surrounded by lanterns. It was a darker photo due to the lightning but bright enough where you could make out the expressions on your faces. The look of love you were giving each other made you chest ache, remembering the night of your first date. You hurried to read the letter, furiously blinking away tears that were threatening to spill.
My flower,
I am sorry for not attending Crepus’s birthday. Please tell him Happy Birthday for me and that I wish him many more.
I am sorry again.
I am sorry for not telling you this in person but I have contracts around Teyvat I need to tend to. I am unsure of how long it will take or when I will be back. It may be some years until I see you once again. I know goodbyes were not said and I dearly wish I could give you an ‘I miss you’ hug because I do miss you. More than you will ever know. So here I am, saying it in a whisper from afar but screaming it in my head.
I love you
I will always be around. Call my name and I’ll be right there. But, should the day ever come when we are not together, you will continue to shine like gold in my memories.
This is not a goodbye though. I will wait for you. No matter how long it takes, how many years and how many lifetimes pass, I will wait for you.
Zhongli
Tears fell onto the letter and you hastily folded it back up, shoving it back in the envelope and hugging it to your chest. A million questions ran through your mind and you wanted to call him, right then and there and hoped he’d appear out of nowhere and answer them all. You opened your mouth, ready to say his name but the gold present sitting on Diluc’s desk stopped you. You were hesitant to open it and for a brief moment, just ran your fingers along the silk brown ribbon that kept the lid on the box. It shimmered at your touch, as if calling you to open it. In a heartbeat you untied it and opened it, gasping out loud at the present inside. The little brown bear you fell asleep with in your arms on so many nights smiled up at you as it held a Xiao lantern in it’s little paws. You ran your fingers through it’s soft fur, almost scared that if you put too much pressure, it would break. You closed your eyes and cradled the bear in your arms, hugging it and kissing the top of it’s head.
“I love you too, Zhongli.” you whispered, hoping he’d somehow hear it.
Diluc
“MAMA!!!!” Crepus’s shrill scream pierced your ears as he came running at you once again. You were descending the stairs and his cries were deafening.
“What’s wrong baby? What happened?” You asked worriedly.
“Uncle Kaeya won’t get me ice cream! You said he was going to!”
“I have no recollection of this conversation, Yn.” Kaeya walked up to you, a slight frown on his face.
You explained to him what happened earlier, causing Kaeya to chuckle.
“Ah, I see. Well then, Crepus, you have to wait buddy,” Kaeya said, ruffling his hair. Crepus crossed his arms and pouted.
“Your mother said you have to wait patiently. Tonight after dinner, you can have your ice cream.” Diluc said softly, appearing beside you and picking him up. Crepus wrapped his arms around Diluc’s neck, almost choking him and buried his face in his hair. Diluc hugged him back tightly and a whine that was gradually getting louder came from him and you sighed.
“Oh no, here comes the tantrum.” You murmured and Diluc gave an exasperated look and walked away with him, going off to a corner and bouncing him gently in his arms. You were pretty sure Diluc was making a secret pact with him. If he was good, he’d give him his ice cream early or let him stay up later or something along those lines.
After games, cake and an hour of wrapping the many presents, guests started to head out and you, Diluc, and Crepus said goodbyes outside of the manor. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden veil over the sky. Mondstadt’s cool Northern air swirled around you along with a gentle breeze. White Crystalflies started floating around the grape vines along with fireflies and Crepus ran off, trying to catch some in his hands. Kaeya and Beidou followed him, holding hands and Kaeya picked him up, trying to help him reach higher ones.
Diluc chuckled and wrapped his arms around you, embracing you in a warm hug. He sighed happily as he caressed your cheek, looking deep in your eyes. No matter how many times you’ve looked in them, it always felt like you were melting. His fingers trailed your jawline and cupped your chin, pulling your face to his and kissing you. A deep kiss at first, your favorite ones. But then he gave you small kisses, over and over again, making you giggle and blush. He smiled as he continued to kiss you, moving from your lips, to your cheeks, and to your neck.
“Diluc!” you laughed as you wrapped your arms around his neck.
He smirked and nuzzled your nose, “Yes?”
“Not here! Later tonight!” you snicker, kissing him again.
Crepus’s laugh echoed around you and you both stopped to look over at your son. He ran over to you, squealing in excitement. He finally caught a Crystalfly and it was sitting in his little hands, it’s wings slowly moving. Diluc picked him up and ruffled his hair, scaring away the creature and the two of them watched as it flew upwards towards the changing starry sky.
You instinctively put a hand on your stomach as you stared happily at them. Diluc looked down and smiled, placing his hand over yours.
“I can’t wait to meet our second little one.” he whispered, kissing your temple, his arms wrapping around your waist to pull you closer to him. You closed your eyes, resting your head on his shoulder. Crepus yawned and copied you, his head dropping on Diluc’s other shoulder and falling fast asleep. It was your turn to sigh deeply and contentedly, knowing in your heart that you are loved and that this life was meant to be.